Mindfulness in addiction recovery plays a crucial role in managing stress, reducing anxiety, and maintaining sobriety. The benefits of meditation in recovery are endless. When you get control of your thoughts your actions follow suit. Meditation can be one of the most important tools to use throughout any stage of the recovery process bringing focus and clarity to a chaotic mind.
This blog dives into the practice of meditation and mindfulness, explaining how these techniques can help individuals on their recovery journey, and highlights the unique mindfulness programs offered at Studio 64 Recovery.
Techniques and Practices for Beginners
At Studio 64 Recovery we put a big emphasis on the importance of teaching techniques for beginners to practice mindfulness during addiction recovery. Incorporating mindfulness and meditation into daily routines during recovery can be extremely helpful especially in the beginning. Here are a few examples of different mindfulness practices when you are starting out.
Mantra Meditation
Mantra meditation is the practice of taking a word or phrase and focusing solely on that. You can repeat any affirmation out loud or in your mind. Choose a word or phrase that feels supportive and peaceful. Next time you are stuck in a recurring negative thought pattern try using the power of affirmations to calm your mind and restore balance in your body.
Movement Meditation
Getting out of your head and into your body is a great way to cultivate mindfulness. Choosing slow walking, gentle yoga, or other types of movement that feel good to you can be very beneficial for clearing space and cultivating a sense of calm.
Breathing Meditation
We store so much tension and grief in our lungs. Active deep breathing can clear old stagnant energy out, making room for new fresh oxygen to enter your body and brain, sending fresh oxygenated blood to all of your major organs. Breathwork is extremely effective practice for addiction recovery.
Guided Meditation
It doesn’t need to be complicated! Sometimes finding a quiet space and putting on a guided meditation video is the best way to relax. There are endless free resources online for all types of guided meditations. Whether you are having trouble sleeping, wanting to release limiting beliefs, or simply trying to invite in a deeper sense of peace,there is a guided meditation out there for you.
Strategies for Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Routines
Mindfulness and sobriety go hand in hand. Incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine can help you stay on track. Mindfulness is the tool you need to regulate yourself in stressful moments when you are tempted to reach for old coping strategies that you are trying to let go of.
Creating a morning routine to do first thing when you wake up can set you on the right foot each day. Focusing on gratitude can be a great place to start. Your routine is personal to you and should include things that feel grounding. For example, journaling your thoughts onto a page can help quiet recurring worries and aid in clearing the mind. Sitting in the same spot outside and having quiet time with your morning coffee or tea can create a sense of peace and focus where you can visualize how you would like the rest of your day to unfold. Small rituals like this can help in improving emotional regulation.
The Role of Mindfulness in Reducing Cravings and Preventing Relapse
The mind-body connection plays an important role in preventing relapse. When you commit to a daily mindfulness practice you cultivate a deeper sense of self awareness. When we are in touch and in tune with our internal compass we are able to cope with life’s stressors more efficiently. When we are operating from a place of self awareness we are more in touch with our triggers and the deeper meaning behind the craving. Once you are operating from the root cause you can begin to unpack and release the trauma that keeps you running and finally sit with those feelings and allow yourself to feel them and let them go.
Scientific Evidence Supporting the Benefits of Mindfulness and Meditation in Addiction Recovery
Studies show that mindfulness significantly reduces stress and anxiety. Many people turn to substance abuse to numb the physical and mental toll that chronic stress and anxiety cause in the mind and body. When you practice mindfulness you learn how to identify the negative thoughts and feelings that lead to relapse. Mindfulness not only teaches self awareness but also self control. You become more aware of your body’s physical cues such as agitation or tension so you can take action and avoid relapse.
How Mindfulness Practices Can Improve Emotional Regulation and Resilience
Emotional regulation through mindfulness is key in staying centered while you ride the inevitable ups and downs of recovery. Even the most simple mindfulness practices can improve emotional regulation. Here are some examples;
Mindful Eating
Eating with no screens in front of you just slowly tasting and chewing each bite with intention can bring you into the present moment.
Sound
Sitting quietly and focusing only on the sounds you hear near and far can be a great tool for de-escalating stress and anxiety.
Compassion
Being kind and compassionate to others and to animals can create a sense of connection and belonging. When we stop worrying so much about what is going on inside of us and turn our focus toward helping others, much healing can take place.
At Studio 64 Recovery we know how helpful mindfulness addiction recovery can be. Each of our clients have total access to all of Studio 64 Recovery’s mindfulness-based healing programs. We not only help our clients break the cycle of substance abuse and achieve sobriety but we want to help our clients restore a greater sense of purpose and peace that they can carry with them long after the program is complete. We know that recovery is a lifelong journey and having the tools to support yourself along the journey makes all the difference.
If you are ready to start your journey toward healing through gentle mindfulness practices, Studio 64 Recovery is here to help you.
